Buy-in

The amount of money that a player is restricted to using when joining a particular table, including a minimum requirement, maximum amount, or both a minimum and maximum.

EXAMPLE: "For the table I joined, the buy-in was $200 minimum with a $1000 maximum."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

Verb

To make one's first purchase of chips for use at a particular table.

EXAMPLE: "Even though I had a much larger bankroll, I didn't want to put it all on the table. I decided to buy-in for only $200."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

Noun

The entry fee for a tournament, including both the portion designated for the prize pool and the portion designated as compensation for the house or tournament organizers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The buy-in is typically represented by the amount of money designated for the prize pool followed by the amount of money paid as compensation to the tournament organizers. For example, $100+$10 would mean a buy-in of $110, with $100 going to prizes and $10 going to the organizers. In some tournaments, all players begin with an equal, specific number of chips. In other tournaments, players may pay more than the buy-in to receive additional chips.

EXAMPLE: "The buy-in was $110."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

Verb

To pay the entry fee for a tournament.

EXAMPLE: "I'd like to join the tournament. Where do I go to buy-in?"

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

Noun

The actual amount of money or chips with which a particular player joins a table or a tournament.

EXAMPLE: "A new player joined the table with a $500 buy-in, more than twice the $200 minimum required."

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